AFC Valour Res 6-3 Ashton Prime

Prime concluded their pre-season with a trip to old rivals AFC Valour.

It was a depleted Numbers line-up with several players away for the bank holiday weekend. It left Goldsmith in goal, Garside returning at Centre-Back with Sander and Barnham the full-backs. Leaver joined Walker in midfield, with Goulding pulled out of retirement down the left-wing. Up front, Kneebone joined Flamank. There were 3 trialists on the bench, namely Bielik, Aslan and Snopeq.

Valour were soon into their stride and looked to test the makeshift Prime side. Within 15 minutes, the home side were ahead as the Valour left-winger Moore ran through and beat the on-rushing Goldsmith.

Prime feared for the worst when a dangerous cross from the right was headed majestically into the corner by their striker.

Davis came on to sure things up at right back, but Valour were still pressing and again they cut through the heart of the Prime defence and only a fingertip save from the stand-in keeper Goldsmith, deflecting the attempted chip onto the bar, kept Prime within reach.

On their attacking forays Prime were looking dangerous, with Kneebone and Flamank both looking lively. Prime pulled a goal back on the half-hour mark as good work by subs Aslan and Bielik set up Walker to curl home his second left-footed strike of pre-season.

Soon after Prime were level as Prime broke quickly after Goldsmith claimed a deep cross well. They broke down the left and Aslan was put clean through, and the impressive trialist slotted home coolly.

Prime were lucky to be level at the break, but were now in a much more confident mood.

The second half started as the first had ended, with Prime pressing forward. They soon took the lead as Kneebone smashed home from distance with the keeper nowhere, after a poor clearance.

Leaver and Walker continued to work overtime in the centre of the pitch, but on the large pitch, fitness was always likely to be an issue and Valour started to come back into the match.

They levelled matters midway through the half and were in front soon after as Goldsmith narrowly failed to keep out Eslami's chip from the edge of the box.

Prime were now getting sloppy at the back and inviting pressure as they played aimless balls out of defence.

Valour added 2 further goals with 15 minutes still remaining, but Barnham's return to left-back steadied the ship and Prime played out the last period comfortably.

Overall there were several positives for Prime today and some players have done themselves plenty of good when it comes to selecting the side for the season's curtain raiser against Roselands Reserves next Saturday.

Man of the Match: Walker - Another excellent goal and combined well with Leaver and Kneebone throughout.